November 20, 2014
Howell, NJ: Bishop George of Mayfield celebrates Divine Liturgy in St. Alexander Nevsky Diocesan Cathedral

On Sunday, November 16, celebrations in honor 80th anniversary of the founding of the Eastern American Diocesan continued at St. Alexander Nevsky Diocesan Cathedral in Howell, NJ. His Grace, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop George of Mayfield, celebrated the Divine Liturgy, co-served by clergy who had taken part in the festivities: the cathedral’s rector emeritus, Protopresbyter Valery Lukianov, Archpriest Serge Lukianov (diocesan secretary and cathedral dean), Hieromonk Alexander (Frizzell; dean of Holy Cross Monastery in Wayne, WV), Archpriest John Moses (rector of All Saints of North America Church in Natural Bridge Station, VA), Archpriest Boris Slootsky and Priest Seraphim Chemodakov (cathedral clerics), Priest Jonah Campbell (rector of Christ the Savior Church in Wayne), Priest Vladimir Kaydanov (cleric of St. Nicholas Church in Palm Coast, FL), Protodeacon Leonid Roschko and Deacon Paul Drozdowski (cathedral clerics).

The divine service took place in the presence of the myrrh-streaming Iveron-Montreal "Hawaiian" Icon of the Mother of God, as well as the cathedral’s own wonderworking image of our Lady of Tikhvin.

Upon completion of the Liturgy, Bishop George greeted the faithful with a sermon, in which he thanked the Lord and the Mother of God for the opportunity to pray in the presence of the myrrh-streaming icon. His Grace noted the miracle of healing that the suffering receive from this icon, calling on the faithful to make haste to the Sacraments of the Church – namely confession and communing of the Holy Gifts – for the healing of soul and body.

Those who approached the Cross were anointed with myrrh from the holy image of the Mother of God, and given cotton swabs full of the myrrh to take with them.

Media Office of the Eastern American Diocese